Support assembly

ABSTRACT

An improved support assembly includes a plurality of extendible units which are operable between a retracted and extended condition. Each of these units includes a plurality of externally threaded sections or tubes mounted in a telescopic relationship with each other and a plurality of internally threaded elements or nuts. Each of the nuts is rotatably connected to one of the tubes and is mounted in threaded engagement with another of the tubes. Frame members are connected to the nuts to retain them against rotation upon rotation of the tubes by a drive assembly.

United States Patent Anthony A. Miele 1004 N. Bently Ave., Niles, Ohio 44446 [72] inventor 999,126 7/1911 Sistermann 182/141 1,092,096 3/1914 D0nigan..... 182/62.5 2,396,034 3/1946 Baker 182/141 Primary Examiner-Reinaldo P. Machado Attorney-Yount, Flynn & Tarolli ABSTRACT: An improved support assembly includes a plurality of extendible units which are operable between a retracted and extended condition. Each of these units includes a plurality of externally threaded sections or tubes mounted in a telescopic relationship with each other and a plurality of internally threaded elements or nuts. Each of the nuts is rotatably connected to one of the tubes .and is mounted in threaded engagement with another of the tubes. Frame members are connected to the nuts to retain them against rotation 818,304 4/1906 Shaw 182/62. upon rotation ofthe tubes byadrive assembly.

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AAW/U/W/I. 44/545 A TTOR/VE YS PATENTEUJAMQIQH 3.556250 sum 5 [1F 9 INVENTOR. AA/ 77/0/10 4. 44/625 ATTORNEYS PATENTED JAN 1 9 1971 SHEET 6 BF 9 INVENTORQ ANTHO/VX A. M/Z

5 AfTO/F/VEYS FIGS 1 SUPPORT ASSEMBLY and extended conditions to move varioustypes of. loads wherein the:support assembly is constructed of mechanically interconnected elements which do not rely upon hydraulic means to operate the support assembly between the retracted and extended conditions.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved support assembly which isadapted to be used either singularly or in combination with similar support assemblies to support and move loads in various environments Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved support assembly which includes a plurality of extendible units having telescopically mounted threaded sections operatively interconnected by threaded elements which are retained against rotation by frame members extending between the units upon rotation of the threaded sections to thereby enable the telescopic relationship between the threaded sections of each of the units to be varied.

These and other objects and features'of the invention will become more apparent upon a consideration of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. I is a schematic illustration of a crane assembly which includes a plurality of support assemblies constructed in accordance with the present invention, the support assemblies being shown in their retracted conditions;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary schematic illustration of a crane assembly of FIG. I with the support assemblies in their extended conditions; I

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration taken generally along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1, illustrating a drive mechanism for operating an upright support assembly of the crane between the retracted and extended conditions of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged partially brokenaway fragmentary illustration of the upright supportassembly in a partially extended condition;

FIG. 5. is an enlarged fragmentary schematic illustration further showing the upright support assembly in the partially extended condition of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary schematic illustration, taken generally along the line 6-6 of FIG. 2, showing the interrelationship of externally threaded sections or tubes, an internally threaded element or nut, and a frameassembly for retaining the nut against rotation upon rotation of the tubes;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view, taken generally along the line 7-7 of FIG. 1, further illustrating the interrelationship between the tubes;

FIG. Bis an enlarged schematic illustration of a portion of a sideward support assembly of the crane of FIGS. I and 2, the support assembly being illustrated in a partially extended condition;

FIG. 9 (see sheet 3 of drawings) is an enlarged schematic illustration, taken generally along the the line 9 9-9 of FIG. 1, illustrating a drive mechanism for operating the sideward Support assembly between the retracted and extended conditions of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration of a second embodiment of the crane;

FIG. 11 is a schematic illustration of work table or platform having a support assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a schematic plan view, taken generally along the line 12-12 of FIG. 11, illustrating a drive mechanism for operating the work table support assembly between retracted and extended conditions;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged, partially broken away schematic il- Iustration, taken generally along the line 13-13 of FIG. 12, further illustrating the structure of the support assembly for the worktable of FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a schematic illustration of a utility platform having a pair of support assemblies constructed in accordance with the present inyention, the support assemblies being shown in a retracted condition; and

FIG. 15 is a schematic illustration of the utility platform of FIG. I4 with the support assemblies in their extended conditions.

A support assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention includes a plurality of extendible units which are operable between retracted and extended conditions to move a load. Each of the extendibl'e units includes a plurality of threaded sections or tubes which are mounted in a telescopic relationship with each other and are held against rotation relative to each other. These tubes are interconnected by internally threaded elements or nuts which are mounted in threaded engagement with one tube and are rotatably connected to another of thetubes. The nuts are retained against rotation by frame members so that upon rotation of the tubes a screw type interaction occurs between the nuts and the tubes. This screw type interaction moves the tubes axially relative to each other to thereby operate the support assembly between extended and retracted conditions.

It is contemplated that the support assemblies constructed in accordance with the present invention will be utilized in many different environments for moving loads upwardly and downwardly and/or inwardly and outwardly. This is illustrated bya crane 20 which has an upright support assembly 22 and is sideward support assembly 24. The upright support assembly 22 is operable between a'retracted condition (shown in FIG. I) and an extended condition (shown in FIG. 2) to raise and lower a load secured to any one of a plurality of suitable eyes or connectors'26, 28 and 30. The load is moved horizontally or inwardly and outwardly by operating the sideward support assembly 24 between a retracted condition (shown in FIG. I) and an extended condition (shown in FIG. 2). The upright support assembly 22 is advantageously mounted on a rotatable base assembly 36 to enable loads secured to the side ward sideward support assembly 24 to be swung about a vertical axis of the base assembly 36 and upright support assembly 22.

The upright support assembly 22 is operated between the retracted and extended conditions by a drive assembly 40 (see FIG. 3). The drive assembly 40 includes a motor 44 which is connected by an endless drive chain 46 with sprockets 48 and 50 secured to a pair of extendible units 54 and 56 of the upright support assembly 22 (see FIG. 2). The motor 44 is reversible to enable the drive assembly 40 to be operated to either simultaneously extend or retract the vertical support units 54 and 56 to thereby operate the support assembly 22 between the retracted and extended conditions.

The support unit 54 is operable between the extended and retracted conditions of FIGS. I and 2 by varying the telescopic relationship between a plurality of sections or tubes 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, and 72. When the support unit 54 is operated from the retracted condition to the extended condition, the 5 tubes 60 through 72 are moved axially relative to each other I from the closely telescoped relationship of FIG. I to the extended relationship of FIG. 2. To enable the tubes 60 through 72 to be moved axially relative to each other, the tubes 60, 62, 66, 68, 70 and 72 are externally threaded and cooperate with internally threaded elements or nuts. Thus, the external threads on the tube 60 engage internal threads on a nut 76 (FIG. 4), on a nut 78, and the external threads on the tube 66 engage internal threads on a nut (FIG. 5). To avoid needless prolixity of description, the internally threaded elements or nuts which cooperate with the externally threaded tubes 68, 70 and 72 have not been shown. However, it should be understood that suitable nuts cooperate with these externally threaded tubes in the same manner as in which the nuts 76, 78 and 80 cooperate with the externally threaded tubes 60, 62, and 66.

To initiate operation of the support unit 54 from the retracted condition of FIG. 1 to the extended condition of FIG. 2, the motor 44 of the drive assembly 40 is energized to rotate the sprocket 48 in a generally counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3. This rotation of the sprocket 48 rotates the externally threaded tube 60 (see FIG. 4) relative to the base assembly 36 on which the tube is mounted by a suitable bearing assembly 78. Rotation of the tube 60 results in a screw type interaction between the internally threaded elements or nuts of the support units 54 and the externally threaded tubes to extend the support unit upwardly from the retracted condition of FIG. 1.

The screw type interaction between the tube 60 and nut 76 is provided for by retaining the nut against rotation by means of a frame assembly 82 while the tubes 60 and 62 are rotated relative to the nut by the drive assembly 40. Relative rotation between the tube 62 and nut 76 is facilitated by rotatably securing the nut to the tube with a bearing assembly 86. The bearing assembly 86 includes an outer casing or housing 88 which is fixedly secured to the nut 76 and an inner cage or carrier 90 which is fixedly secured to the tube 62 and holds bearing elements or balls 92. To retain the housing 88 and the nut 76 against rotation while enabling the tube 62 and bearing cage 92 to rotate relative to the nut, the housing 88 is fixedly secured to a retainer plate or diaphragm 96 (see FIGS. 4 and 6) which extends between transverse frame member 98 and 100 of the frame assembly 82. Therefore upon rotation of the tube 60 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3, the nonrotatable nut 76 is moved axially outwardly along the threaded tube by a screw type interaction between the external threads on the tube 60 and the internal threads on the nut. Of course, as the nut 76 is moved axially outwardly along the tube 60, the carrier 90 and tube 62 are moved outwardly or upwardly relative to the tube 60.

Rotation of the tube 60 by the sprocket 48 also rotates the tubes 60, 62, and 64 which are drivingly interconnected by suitable keys or lock elements 114 and 116 (FIGS. 4 and 7). The lock elements 114 and 116 are mounted inside the tubes 62 and 64 and engage slots formed in the tubes 60 and 62 so that the tubes 60, 62 and 64 are movable axially relative to each other while being retained against rotation relative to each other. Therefore, rotation of the tube 60 by the sprocket 48 is transferred through the keys 114 and 116 to rotate the tubes 62 and 64.

Upon rotation of the tubes 62 and 64, a screw type interaction occurs between the nut 78 and tube tube 62 in much the samemanner previously explained in connection with the nut 76 and tube 60. To provide for this screw type interaction, the nut 78 engages the external threads on the tube 62 and is rotatably connected to the tube 64 by a bearing assembly 117.

The bearing assembly 117 is substantially the same as the bearing assembly 86 and includes a housing 118 which is fixcdly secured to the nut 78. A frame assembly 119 retains the nut 78 and housing 118 against rotation in the same manner as in which the nut 76 and housing 88 are retained against rotation by the frame assembly 82. Therefore upon rotation of the tube 60 by the drive assembly 40, the tube 62 is moved upwardly relative to the tube 60 by a screw type interaction between the nut 76 and tube 60 while simultaneously therewith the tube 64 is moved upwardly relative to the tube 62 by a screw type interaction between the nut 78 and tube 62.

The tube 66 is moved upwardly relative to the tube 64 at the same time that the tubes 62 and 64 are being moved upwardly in the manner previously explained. To provide for rotation of the tube 66 simultaneously with the tubes 60, 62 and 64, a key or lock element 120 (see FIG. interconnects the tubes 64 and 66. Therefore, rotation of the tube 64 rotates the tube 66 which is moved outwardly by a screw type interaction between the exterior threads on the tube 66 and the internal threads of the nut 80. The nut 80 is attached to a plate or diaphragm 124 of a frame assembly 126 to retain the nut against rotation. The nut 80 is connected to the tube 64 by a bearing assembly 130 which enables relative rotation to occur between the nut and the tube. The interconnection between the nut 80, frame assembly 126 and bearing assembly is substantially the same as was previously explained for the nut 76, bearing assembly 86 and frame assembly 82.

The tubes 66, 68. 70 and 72 (FIG. 2) are interlocked against rotation relative to each other by suitable keys and are operatively interconnected by nuts and bearing assemblies (not shown) similar to those previously described in connection with the tubes 60, 62 and 64. These nuts are retained against rotation by frame assemblies 134. 136, 138 and 140 which are generally similar to the frame assemblies 82 and 119. The interconnections between the tubes 62 through 72 results in all of the tubes being extended or moved outwardly at the same time upon operation of the drive assembly 40.

From the foregoing description it can be seen that the support unit 54 includes a plurality of telescopically mounted externally threaded tubes 60 through 72 which cooperate with nuts, similar to the nuts 76 through 80. Upon rotation of the interkeyed tubes 60 through 72, a screw type interaction takes place between the tubes and the associated nuts which are retained against rotation by the frame assemblies 82, 119, 126, 134, 136, 138 and 140. These screw type interactions move the tubes axially relative to each other to vary their telescopic relationship and there thereby extend or retract the support unit 54 depending upon the direction of rotation of the drive sprocket 48.

The support unit 56 is substantially identical to the support unit 54 and includes a plurality of telescopically mounted tubes 144 through 156 (FIG. 2). These tubes are operatively associated with internally threaded elements or nuts (not shown) in much the same manner as in which the tubes 60 through 66 are associated with the nuts 76, 78 and 80. Of course, the frame assemblies 82, 119, 126, 134, 136, 138 and 140 retain the nuts associated with the tubes 144 through 156 against rotation in much the same manner as previously explained in connection with the nuts associated with the tubes of the support unit 54.

The drive sprocket 50 is connected to the externally threaded tube 144 and is rotated by operation of the drive assembly 40 to move the support unit 56 between the retracted condition of FIG. 1 and the extended condition of FIG. 2 simultaneously with movement of the support unit 54 between the retracted and extended conditions. The externally threaded tubes and internally threaded nuts of the support unit 56 have the same pitch as the corresponding externally threaded tubes and nuts of the support unit 54. Therefore, the frame assemblies 82, 119, 126, 134, 136, 138 and 140 are maintained substantially horizontal during operation of the two support units 54 and 56 between the retracted and extended conditions.

Bracing assemblies 160, 162 and 164 are provided between the frame assemblies 82, 119, 126, 134, 136, 138 and 140 to steady and strengthen the support assembly 22 when it is in the extended condition of FIG. 2. However, the frame assemblies are moved relative to each other when the support assembly 22 is operated between the retracted condition of FIG. 1 and the extended condition of FIG. 2. Therefore, the brace assemblies through 164 must automatically adjust to compensate for variations in the distance between the associated frame assemblies.

To enable the brace assembly 160 to automatically compensate for variations in the distances between the frame assemblies 82 and 119 and a base member 168, the brace assembly 160 includes a plurality of brace members 170, 172, 174 and 176 which are pivotally connected at one end and slidably connected at the opposite end. This manner of mounting the brace members through 176 enables them to be moved relative to each other with what may be characterized as a lazy tongs type of action. Thus, one end of the brace member is secured to the frame assembly 119 by a pivotal connection 180 while the other end of the brace member 170 is secured to the frame assembly 82 by a sliding connection 182. Similarly, a pivotal connection 184 secures the brace member 172 to the frame assembly 119 and a sliding connection 186 secures the brace member to the frame assembly 82. Similarly, the brace members 174 and 176 are slidably connected to the frame assembly 82 at the connection 182 and 186 and are pivotally connected to the base member 168 at 198 and 200.

Upon relative movement between the frame assemblies 82 and 119 while the support assembly 22 is being operated between the retracted condition of FIG. 1 and the extended condition of FIG. 2, the slidable connections 182 and 186 for the brace member members 170 through 176 slide in horizontally extending slots I90 and 192 formed in the frame assembly 82. Simultaneously therewith the opposite ends of the brace members 170 through 176 pivot relative to the frame assembly 119 and base member 168 at the connections 180, 184,198 and 200.

The brace assemblies 162 and 164 are substantially identical to the brace assembly 160. The brace assemblies 162 and 164 each include a plurality of brace members which are pivotally mounted at one end and slidably mounted at the other end. This mounting of the brace members enables the brace assemblies 162 and 164 to be automatically adjusted with a lazy tongs type of action upon operation of the upright support assembly 22 between the retracted condition of FIG. 1 and the extended condition of FIG. 2. It is believed that the operation of the brace assemblies 162 and 164 will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the drawings and the foregoing description of the operation of the brace assembly 160. Therefore, the operation of the brace assemblies 162 and 164 will not be further described herein.

The upright support assembly 22 is operated between the extended and retracted condition to raise and lower a load. The load may be moved horizontally in and out by operation of the sideward support assembly 24 between the retracted condition of FIG. 1 and the extended condition of FIG. 2 2. The sideward support assembly 24 is generally similar to the upright support assembly 22 and includes a pair of extendible support units 208 and 210. These support units are operable between the retracted condition of FIG. 1 and the extended condition of FIG. 2 to move the load supporting eyes or connections 26, 28 and 30 outwardly relative to a base 211 which is fixedly connected to the upper frame assembly 140-of,the upright support assembly 22.

The support unit 210 is generally similar to the support unit 54 and includes a plurality of telescopically mounted tubes or sections 212, 214, 216, 218 and 220 (see FIGS. 1 and 8). The tubes 214 through 220 are externally threaded and cooperate with nuts or internally threaded elements, similar to the nuts or internally threaded elements 76 and 78. These nuts are retained against rotation by frame assemblies 222, 224, 226, 228 and 230 (FIG. 1). The tubes 212 through 220 are interlocked or keyed against relative rotation so that upon rotation of a sprocket 234 connected to the tube 212 the support unit 210 is operated between the retracted condition of FIG. 1 and the extended condition of FIG. 2 in much the same manner as previously explained in connection with the upright support unit 54. The sideward support assembly 24 is strengthened or steadied by bracing assemblies 240 and 242 (FIGS. 1 and 8) between the frame assemblies 222 through 230 in much the same manner in which the bracing assembly 160 strengthens and steadies upright support assembly 22.

The sideward support units 208 and 210 are operated between the retracted condition of FIG. 1 and the extended condition of FIGS. 2 and 8 by operation of a drive assembly 246 (see FIG. 9). The drive assembly 246'includes a motor 250 which drives the sprockets 234 and 254 through a drive chain 255. The sprockets 234 and 254 are connected to the outer tubes of the support units 208 and 210 to rotate these tubes relative to the base 211 of the sideward. support assembly 24 in much the same manner as previously explained in connection with the upright support assembly 22.

An auxiliary support assembly 256 is mounted on the sideward support assembly 24 to enable loads to be supported at relatively large distances from the upright support assembly 22. The auxiliary support assembly 256 includes a plurality of telescopically mounted tubes 257 (FIGS. I and 8) which are mounted on the sideward support assembly by a bracket 258. The auxiliary support assembly 256 is moved outwardly and inwardly by operation of the sideward support assembly 24 between the extended and retracted conditions (FIGS. 1 and 2). Once the sideward support assembly 24 has been operated to the extended condition of FIG. 2, the tubes 257 can be manually extended to move a load connected to one of the eyes 28 or 30 still further outwardly from the upright support assembly 22.

In view of the foregoing description, it can be seen that the crane 20 includes an upright support assembly 22 which is operable between extended and retracted conditions to raise and lower a load which is connected to the sideward support assembly 24. The sideward support assembly 24 is generally similar to the support assembly 22 and is operable between a retracted and extended condition to move the load in and out relative to the upright support assembly. The upright and sideward support assemblies 22 and 24 include extendible units 54, 56, 208 and 210. Each of these extendible units includes a plurality of threaded tubes or sections which are operatively interconnected by internally threaded elements or nuts. These nuts are retained against rotation by frame assemblies so that upon rotation of the telescopically mounted tubes, the tubes are moved axially relative to each other to operate the support units between their retracted and extended conditions. Brace assemblies, similar to the brace assembly 160, are provided between the frame assemblies to strengthen and steady the support assemblies 22 and 24 when they are in their extended conditions.

In the embodiment of the invention, illustrated in FIG. 10, a jib crane 260 is mounted on a vehicle 262. The jib crane 260 includes a vertical support assembly 264 constructed in accordance with the present invention and including a plurality of extendible support units 266 and 268. The support units 266 and 268 are operable from the retracted condition illustrated in FIG. 10 to an extended condition in much the same manner as previously explained in connection with the upright support units 54 and 56 with a crane 20. Each of the support units 266 and 268 includes a plurality of externally threaded tubes which are mounted in telescopic relationship with each other and cooperate with internally threaded elements or nuts which are retained against rotation by frame assemblies extending between the units 256 and 568. Upon rotation of the telescopically mounted tubes relative to the nuts, the support units 266 and 268 are extended to raise a boom 270 and load 272 connected to one end of the boom. The vertical support assembly 264 is mounted on rotatable base 274 to enable the load 272 to be readily swung onto the vehicle 262. The boom 270 is advantageously collapsible to a storage position illustrated in dashed lines in FIG. 10.

While it is contemplated that extendible support assemblies constructed in accordance with the present invention will be used in many different types of cranes and other hoisting devices, it is also contemplated that the support assemblies will be used to move various types of support surfaces to provide a desired relationship between the support surfaces and the surrounding environment. This is illustrated by a work table 280 (see FIGS. 11 through 13) having a flat rectangular load supporting surface 282 which is movable vertically relative to support wheels 284 by operation of a support assembly 286 constructed in accordance with the present invention. The support assembly 286 includes a plurality of extendible support units 288, 290, 292 and 294. The support units 288 through 294 are substantially identical in construction and are simultaneously extendible by operation of a drive assembly 300 which includes a motor 302 which is connected to the support units by suitable drive chains 304.

Upon operation of the drive assembly 300, the support units 288 through 294 are operated between the retracted condition of FIG. 11 and an extended condition in much the same manner as in which the support units 54 and 56 of the crane 20 are operated between the retracted and extended conditions by the drive assembly 40. Therefore, the support surface 282 can be raised and lowered (see FIG. 11) to a position objects at a level at which they can be readily worked upon. In addition to positioning an object at a desired working level, the work table 280 can be adjusted to a desired level to facilitate transfer of an object either to or from the work table.

The support unit 292 is generally similar in structure to the support units 54 and 56 and includes a plurality of telescopically mounted tubes or sections 314, 316 and 318 (FIG. 13) which are supported by a bearing assembly 320 on a base portion 322 of the work table 280. The tubes 314, 316 and 318 are interlocked or keyed together in such a manner as to enable them to be moved axially relative to each other while retaining them against rotational movement relative to each other. Upon operation of the drive assembly 300 to extend the support units 288 through 294, a sprocket 324 connected to the tube 314 is rotated. This rotation of the sprocket 324 and tube 314 rotates the externally threaded tubes 316 and 318 relative to internally threaded elements or nuts 330 and 332 which are retained against rotation by frame assemblies 336. The nuts 330 and 332 are rotatably connected to the tubes 314 and 316 respectively by bearing assemblies 340 and 342 which are of substantially the same construction as the bearing assemblies 86 and 102 of FIG. 4.

The frame assemblies 336 are interconnected by adjustable brace assemblies 348 to strengthen and steady the support assembly 286 when it is in the extended condition. The brace assemblies 348 are substantially similar to the brace assemblies 160, 162, and 164 of FIG. 2. However, instead of having connections which are slidable in slots formed in the frame assembly 336, the brace assemblies 348 include shoes or guide members 352 (FIGS. 11 and 13) which are slidable along the frame assemblies 336.

A plurality of relatively large support assemblies 370 and 372 are interconnectable in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15 to form a platform lift assembly 374. The lift assembly 374 includes a platform 378 for supporting a worker in the manner illustrated schematically in FIG. 15. It is anticipated that the lift assembly 374 will be used to raise a worker to a relatively high level to enable him to perform work operations at relatively inaccessible locations.

The support assemblies 370 and 372 include a plurality of extendible support units 380, 382, 384, 386, 388 and 390 which are generally similar in construction to the support units 54 and 56 of the crane assembly 20. Each of these support units includes a plurality of telescopically mounted externally threaded tubes which cooperate with internally threaded members or nuts. These nuts are retained against rotation by transversely extending frame members. A suitable drive assembly is provided for rotating the tubes forming the support units 380 through 390 to operate the support units between the retracted condition of FIG. 14 and the extended condition of FIG. 15.

In view of the foregoing description, it can be seen that support units constructed in accordance with the present invention can be interconnected in many different ways to provide assemblies for supporting and moving loads, Each of these support assemblies includes a plurality of support units, similar to the support unit 54, which are operable between extended and retracted conditions to move a load or position a support surface. The support units include externally threaded tubes, similar to the tubes 60 through 72, which are mechanically interconnected by internally threaded members or nuts, similar to the nuts 76, 78 and 80. The nuts are retained against rotation by frame assemblies, similar to the frame assembly 160, extending between the support units.

Upon rotation of the tubes relative to the nuts, the telescopic relationship between the tubes is varied and the support units are operated between the extended and retracted conditions. It should be noted that the support units are operated between the retracted and extended conditions by a screw type action between the nuts which are held against rotation and the rotating tubes. This screw type interaction has been found to be very dependable in operation and eliminates the necessity of providing relatively complex hydraulic circuits which have heretofore been utilized in similar support assemblies.

Iclaim:

1. A support assembly comprising a base, a plurality of units connected with said base and operable between a retracted condition and an extended condition, each of said units including a plurality of relatively movable sections mounted in a telescopic relationship, a plurality of frame members extending from different sections of a first one of said units to different sections of a second one of said units, each of said frame members being connected at one end portion with an associated one of the sections of the first unit for movement therewith relative to said base and the other sections of the first unit and being connected at another end portion with an associated one of the sections of the second unit for movement therewith relative to said base and the other sections of the second unit, and drive means for comtemporaneously operating said units between said retracted and extended condition conditions by moving sections of each of said units relative to said base and the other sections of each of said units.

2. A support assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said units includes means operatively connecting each section of the unit with the other sections of the unit in such a manner that each section of the unit is simultaneously moved relative to each other section of the unit upon operation of said drive means.

3. A support assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said units includes a plurality of threaded members for operatively interconnecting the sections of the unit, said threaded members being retained against rotation upon operation of said units between the retracted and extended conditions by said frame members.

4. A support assembly as set forth in claim 1 further including a plurality of brace members extending between said frame members, at least some of said brace members being pivotally connected to one of said frame members and slidably connected to an adjacent frame member for movement relative thereto in a direction transverse to the direction of relative movement between said sections upon operation of said units between the retracted and extended conditions.

5. A support assembly comprising a plurality of extensible units operable between a retracted condition and an extended condition, each of said units including a plurality of relatively movable threaded sections mounted in a telescopic relationship with each other and a plurality of threaded elements each of which is mounted in threaded engagement with one of a said sections, frame means extending between said units for retaining said threaded elements against rotation, and drive means for rotating the sections of each of said units relative to said threaded elements to thereby operate said units between the retracted and extended conditions.

6. A support assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said threaded elements are moved relative to each other upon operation of said units between the retracted and extended conditions, said frame means being extensible to accommodate the aforesaid relative movement between said threaded elements while retaining said threaded elements against rotation.

7. A support assembly as set forth in claim 5 further including a plurality of mounting means each of which connects one of said threaded elements to an end portion of a section other than the section with which said one threaded element is mounted in threaded engagement in such a manner as to enable relative rotation to occur between said end portion of a section and said threaded element while retaining said end portion of a section against axial movement relative to said threaded element.

8. A support assembly as set forth in claim wherein each of said units includes means for retaining said sections against rotational movement relative to each other and for enabling said sections to move axially relative to each other upon operation of said units between said retracted and extended conditions.

9. A support assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said frame means includes a plurality of frame members extending between different threaded'elements of one unit and different threaded elements of another unit and a plurality of brace members each of which is pivotally connected at one end portion with one of said frame members and is slidably connected at another end portion with another of said frame members, said other end portion being slidable relative to said other frame member upon operation of said units between said retracted and extended conditions to thereby enable said said frame members to be moved relative to each other. i

10 A support assembly as set forth in claim 5 further including and extensible assembly connected to one end portion of said units and operable between a retracted condition in which said extensible assembly extends transversely outwardly from said units for a relatively small distance and an extended condition in which said extensible assembly extends transversely outwardly from said units for a relatively large distance.

11. A support assembly as set forth in claim 10 wherein said extensible assembly includes first and second assemblies of relatively movable threaded sections which are mounted in a telescopic relationship with each other and a plurality of threaded elements each of which is mounted in threaded en gagement with one of said sections of said first and second assemblies, frame members extending between said first and second assemblies and operatively connected with said threaded elements of said first andsecond assemblies to retain them against rotation, and drive means for rotating the sections of said first and second assemblies relative to said threaded elements of said first and second assemblies to thereby operate said first and second assemblies between their retracted and extended conditions.

12. A support assembly as set forth in claim 5 further including a platform connected to said units and adapted to support a load, said units being operable between the retracted and extended conditions to move a load supported by said platform.

13. A support assembly asset forth in claim 12 further including wheel means operatively connected with said units and said platform to facilitate moving said support assembly relative to a support surface.

14. A support assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said threaded sections are externally threaded and said threaded elements are internally threaded, and further including means for rotatably connecting each of said threaded elements to an end portion of a section telescoped over the section with which the threaded element is mounted in threaded engagement and means for retaining said section against rotation relative to each other whereby each of said threaded elements is moved axially along the section with which the threaded element is mounted in threaded engagement upon rotation of said sections by said drive means to thereby vary the telescopic relationship between said sections.

15. A support assembly comprising a plurality of extensible units operable between a retracted condition and an extended condition, each of said units including a plurality of externally threaded sections mounted in a telescopic relationship with each other, a plurality of internally threaded elements each of which is mounted in threaded engagement with one of said sections and is rotatably connected to another of said sections, and means for retaining said sections against rotation relative to each other and for enabling said sections to be moved axially relative to each other, frame means for interconnecting said units, said frame means including a plurality of frame members each of which isoperatively connected at one end portion with a different one of said threaded elements of one of said units and is operatively connected at another end portion with a different one of said threaded elements of another of said units to thereby retain said threaded elements against rotation, and drive means for rotating said sections relative to said threaded elements to thereby effect axial movement between said sections to operate said units between said retracted and extended conditions to vary the effective length of said support assembly.

16. A support assembly as set forth in claim 15 wherein said frame means includes a plurality brace members, each of said brace members being pivotally connected at one end portion to one of said frame members and slidably connected at another end portion to another of said frame members to enable the spacing between said frame members to be varied upon operation of said units between said retracted and extended conditions.

17. A support assembly as set forth in claim 15 further including platform means operatively connected with one end portion of said units for supporting a load which is moved upon operation of said units between said retracted and extended conditions.

18. An assembly comprising a base, a first support assembly extending outwardly from said base, and a second support assembly spaced from said base and connected with an end portion of said first support assembly, said first support assembly being operable between retracted and extended conditions to vary the spacing of said second support assembly from said base, said second support assembly being operable in a direction transverse to said first support assembly between retracted and extended conditions to vary the distance between an outer end portion of said second support assembly and said first support assembly assembly, said first support assembly including a plurality of extensible units each of which includes a plurality of relatively movable threaded sections mounted in a telescopic relationship with each other and a plurality of threaded elements each of which is mounted in threaded engagement with one of said sections, a plurality of frame members each of which is operatively connected with different threaded elements of different units to retain said threaded elements against rotation, and a first drive means for rotating said sections relative to said threaded elements to vary the telescopic relationship between said sections to thereby operate said first support assembly between said retracted and extended conditions, said second support assembly including a plurality of extensible units positioned with their longitudinal axes extending transversely to the longitudinal axes of said units of said first support assembly, each of said units of said second support assembly including a plurality of relatively movable threaded sections mounted in a telescopic relationship with each other and a plurality of threaded elements each of which is mounted in threaded engagement with one of said sections, said second support assembly further including a plurality of frame members each of which is operatively connected with different threaded elements of different units of said second support assembly to retain these threaded elements against rotation, and a second drive means for rotating said sections of said second support assembly relative to the associated threaded elements to vary the telescopic relationship between said sections of said second support assembly and thereby operate said second support assembly between said retracted and extended conditions.

19. An assembly as set forth in claim 18 wherein said first support assembly further includes a plurality of brace members each of which is pivotally connected at one end portion to one of said frame members of said first support assembly and is slidably connected at an opposite end portion to another of said frame members of said first supportassembly to thereby enable said frame members to be moved relative to each other upon operation of said first support assembly between the retracted and extended conditions, and said second support assembly includes a plurality of brace members each of which support assembly further includes means for retaining said sections of said first support assembly against rotation relative to each other upon operation of said first drive means, and said second support assembly further includes means for retaining said sections of said second support assembly against rotation relative to each other upon operation of said second drive means. I 

1. A support assembly comprising a base, a plurality of units connected with said base and operable between a retracted condition and an extended condition, each of said units including a plurality of relatively movable sections mounted in a telescopic relationship, a plurality of frame members extending from different sections of a first one of said units to different sections of a second one of said units, each of said frame members being connected at one end portion with an associated one of the sections of the first unit for movement therewith relative to said base and the other sections of the first unit and being connected at another end portion with an associated one of the sections of the second unit for movement therewith relative to said base and the other sections of the second unit, and drive means for comtemporaneously operating said units between said retracted and extended condition conditions by moving sections of each of said units relative to said base and the other sections of each of said units.
 2. A support assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said units includes means operatively connecting each section of the unit with the other sections of the unit in such a manner that each section of the unit is simultaneously moved relative to each other section of the unit upon operation of said drive means.
 3. A support assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said units includes a plurality of threaded members for operatively interconnecting the sections of the unit, said threaded members being retained against rotation upon operation of said units between the retracted and extended conditions by said frame members.
 4. A support assembly as set forth in claim 1 further including a plurality of brace members extending between said frame members, at least some of said brace members being pivotally connected to one of said frame members and slidably connected to an adjacent frame member for movement relative thereto in a direction transverse to the direction of relative movement between said sections upon operation of said units between the retracted and extended conditions.
 5. A support assembly comprising a plurality of extensible units operable between a retracted condition and an extended condition, each of said units including a plurality of relatively movable threaded sections mounted in a telescopic relationship with each other and a plurality of threaded elements each of which is mounted in threaded engagement with one of a said sections, frame means extending between said units for retaining said threaded elements against rotation, and drive means for rotating the sections of each of said units relative to said threaded elements to thereby operate said units between the retracted and extended conditions.
 6. A support assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said threaded elements are moved relative to each other upon operation of said units between the retracted and extended conditions, said frame means being extensible to accommodate the aforesaid relative movement between said threaded elements while retaining said threaded elements against rotation.
 7. A support assembly as set forth in claim 5 further including a plurality of mounting means each of which connects one of said threaded elements to an end portion of a section other than the section with which said one threaded element is mounted in threaded engagement in such a manner as to enable relative rotation to occur between said end portion of a section and said threaded element while retaining said end portion of a section against axial movement relative to said threaded element.
 8. A support assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein each of said units includes means for retaining said sections against rotational movement relative to each other and for enabling said sections to move axially relative to each other upon operation of said units between said retracted and extended conditions.
 9. A support assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said frame means includes a plurality of frame members extending between different threaded elements of one unit and different threaded elements of another unit and a plurality of brace members each of which is pivotally connected at one end portion with one of said frame members and is slidably connected at another end portion with another of said frame members, said other end portion being slidable relative to said other frame member upon operation of said units between said retracted and extended conditions to thereby enable said said frame members to be moved relative to each other. 10 A support assembly as set forth in claim 5 further including and extensible assembly connected to one end portion of said units and operable between a retracted condition in which said extensible assembly extends transversely outwardly from said units for a relatively small distance and an extended condition in which said extensible assembly extends transversely outwardly from said units for a relatively large distance.
 11. A support assembly as set forth in claim 10 wherein said extensible assembly includes firSt and second assemblies of relatively movable threaded sections which are mounted in a telescopic relationship with each other and a plurality of threaded elements each of which is mounted in threaded engagement with one of said sections of said first and second assemblies, frame members extending between said first and second assemblies and operatively connected with said threaded elements of said first and second assemblies to retain them against rotation, and drive means for rotating the sections of said first and second assemblies relative to said threaded elements of said first and second assemblies to thereby operate said first and second assemblies between their retracted and extended conditions.
 12. A support assembly as set forth in claim 5 further including a platform connected to said units and adapted to support a load, said units being operable between the retracted and extended conditions to move a load supported by said platform.
 13. A support assembly as set forth in claim 12 further including wheel means operatively connected with said units and said platform to facilitate moving said support assembly relative to a support surface.
 14. A support assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said threaded sections are externally threaded and said threaded elements are internally threaded, and further including means for rotatably connecting each of said threaded elements to an end portion of a section telescoped over the section with which the threaded element is mounted in threaded engagement and means for retaining said section against rotation relative to each other whereby each of said threaded elements is moved axially along the section with which the threaded element is mounted in threaded engagement upon rotation of said sections by said drive means to thereby vary the telescopic relationship between said sections.
 15. A support assembly comprising a plurality of extensible units operable between a retracted condition and an extended condition, each of said units including a plurality of externally threaded sections mounted in a telescopic relationship with each other, a plurality of internally threaded elements each of which is mounted in threaded engagement with one of said sections and is rotatably connected to another of said sections, and means for retaining said sections against rotation relative to each other and for enabling said sections to be moved axially relative to each other, frame means for interconnecting said units, said frame means including a plurality of frame members each of which is operatively connected at one end portion with a different one of said threaded elements of one of said units and is operatively connected at another end portion with a different one of said threaded elements of another of said units to thereby retain said threaded elements against rotation, and drive means for rotating said sections relative to said threaded elements to thereby effect axial movement between said sections to operate said units between said retracted and extended conditions to vary the effective length of said support assembly.
 16. A support assembly as set forth in claim 15 wherein said frame means includes a plurality brace members, each of said brace members being pivotally connected at one end portion to one of said frame members and slidably connected at another end portion to another of said frame members to enable the spacing between said frame members to be varied upon operation of said units between said retracted and extended conditions.
 17. A support assembly as set forth in claim 15 further including platform means operatively connected with one end portion of said units for supporting a load which is moved upon operation of said units between said retracted and extended conditions.
 18. An assembly comprising a base, a first support assembly extending outwardly from said base, and a second support assembly spaced from said base and connected with an end portion of said first support assembly, said fiRst support assembly being operable between retracted and extended conditions to vary the spacing of said second support assembly from said base, said second support assembly being operable in a direction transverse to said first support assembly between retracted and extended conditions to vary the distance between an outer end portion of said second support assembly and said first support assembly assembly, said first support assembly including a plurality of extensible units each of which includes a plurality of relatively movable threaded sections mounted in a telescopic relationship with each other and a plurality of threaded elements each of which is mounted in threaded engagement with one of said sections, a plurality of frame members each of which is operatively connected with different threaded elements of different units to retain said threaded elements against rotation, and a first drive means for rotating said sections relative to said threaded elements to vary the telescopic relationship between said sections to thereby operate said first support assembly between said retracted and extended conditions, said second support assembly including a plurality of extensible units positioned with their longitudinal axes extending transversely to the longitudinal axes of said units of said first support assembly, each of said units of said second support assembly including a plurality of relatively movable threaded sections mounted in a telescopic relationship with each other and a plurality of threaded elements each of which is mounted in threaded engagement with one of said sections, said second support assembly further including a plurality of frame members each of which is operatively connected with different threaded elements of different units of said second support assembly to retain these threaded elements against rotation, and a second drive means for rotating said sections of said second support assembly relative to the associated threaded elements to vary the telescopic relationship between said sections of said second support assembly and thereby operate said second support assembly between said retracted and extended conditions.
 19. An assembly as set forth in claim 18 wherein said first support assembly further includes a plurality of brace members each of which is pivotally connected at one end portion to one of said frame members of said first support assembly and is slidably connected at an opposite end portion to another of said frame members of said first support assembly to thereby enable said frame members to be moved relative to each other upon operation of said first support assembly between the retracted and extended conditions, and said second support assembly includes a plurality of brace members each of which is pivotally connected at one end portion to one of said frame members of side second support assembly and is slidably connected at an opposite end portion to another of said frame members of said second support assembly to thereby enable said frame members to be moved relative to each other upon operation of said second support assembly between the retracted and extended conditions.
 20. An assembly as set forth in claim 18 wherein said first support assembly further includes means for retaining said sections of said first support assembly against rotation relative to each other upon operation of said first drive means, and said second support assembly further includes means for retaining said sections of said second support assembly against rotation relative to each other upon operation of said second drive means. 